This week's PhotoHunt theme is "Standing."
There used to be over 100 bell towers in Venice but some of them collapsed or were demolished; today there are 66 still standing. The most well-known is this one, the campanile di San Marco; it's the tallest in the city. This tower collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt.
There's a golden statue of the archangel Gabriel standing on top of this tower, holding the annunciation lilies. Legend has it that when the tower collapsed, the angel statue survived and was found more or less intact in front of the doors to the basilica. I've often admired it from afar gleaming in the sunlight but had never gotten a good look at it until recently when I found this photo of it in an old book.
Thanks for visiting and have a good weekend.
You can find more Photo Hunters and join the hunt here.
Comments (20)
Beautiful pic of the bell tower.. and the info was very interesting.
Posted by ann | January 28, 2011 11:02 AM
Posted on January 28, 2011 11:02
Beautiful shot!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by Liz | January 28, 2011 12:17 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 12:17
What a beautiful tower. I think it is great that they decided to rebuild it for future generations to enjoy :)
Posted by Sue St Clair | January 28, 2011 2:40 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 14:40
You always add a specially interesting history/folklore to your photo selections, elevating it into the whole "Anne" dimension. Mahalo!
Posted by menehune | January 28, 2011 2:49 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 14:49
Wonderful choices for the theme. Happy weekend.
Posted by Carver | January 28, 2011 3:19 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 15:19
That is an imposing tower. Great take on the theme!
Posted by jams o donnell | January 28, 2011 3:21 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 15:21
great shot of the bell tower and the statue is wonderful. i've always wondered how the statue looks like up close. glad you were able to find a photo of it in a book.
Posted by life ramblings | January 28, 2011 6:10 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 18:10
Oh they are pretty shots. Happy hunting.
Posted by gengen | January 28, 2011 7:11 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 19:11
Hi Annie, that's a great photo and take for this week's theme. I love the branches in the frame. The legend about how they found the statue in tact after the collapse is so interesting.
Thanks so much for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by Kathy (trekcapri) | January 28, 2011 8:52 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 20:52
Beautiful pics and your accompanying commentary makes me appreciate them more. BTW, this was the first time I had heard/read of "annunciation lilies"! :)
Posted by YTSL | January 28, 2011 11:15 PM
Posted on January 28, 2011 23:15
Great take on the theme! This is a tough one.
Posted by girasoli | January 29, 2011 12:20 AM
Posted on January 29, 2011 00:20
Bonne fin de semaine, a presto !
Posted by Maité | January 29, 2011 2:11 AM
Posted on January 29, 2011 02:11
this is so interesting!
that is a big statue on top of a tower!
Posted by bing | January 29, 2011 2:46 AM
Posted on January 29, 2011 02:46
these are great pics for the theme. lovely!
happy weekend! :)
Posted by ipanema | January 29, 2011 3:09 AM
Posted on January 29, 2011 03:09
Europe is always my favourite place. Nice pictures and have a great weekend. CY
Posted by CY | January 29, 2011 9:32 AM
Posted on January 29, 2011 09:32
Beautiful shot!
You make me miss Venice~ :-)
Posted by sandi @the whistlestop cafe | January 29, 2011 10:59 AM
Posted on January 29, 2011 10:59
I love the background information on the bell tower. It is a perfect shot of Venice - the tower, architecture and lions. Have a great weekend.
Posted by Marta | January 29, 2011 11:21 AM
Posted on January 29, 2011 11:21
Beautiful standing structures! Mine is finally up and standing... :)
Posted by Eden | January 29, 2011 1:02 PM
Posted on January 29, 2011 13:02
Very nice one for the theme :-)
Posted by CherryPie | January 30, 2011 12:39 PM
Posted on January 30, 2011 12:39
that's a wonderful shot and i love how you explain the history behind it :-)
Posted by rach | January 30, 2011 1:31 PM
Posted on January 30, 2011 13:31